Daily Incidents of Molestation, Spanning Years, Constituted “Separate Occurrences” Triggering a Deductible for Each Policy-Period

The main issue in this case was whether nearly daily incidents of sexual molestation of a minor by a priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, spanning six years, should be considered a single “occurrence” or separate “occurrences” within the meaning of the relevant insurance policies.  If considered separate occurrences, then the deductible for each policy-period in which each occurrence was deemed to have taken place would apply. If considered a single occurrence, then only one deductible would apply for all the policy-periods.  The Court of Appeals, in an opinion by Judge Rivera, determined the on-going sexual molestation should be considered separate occurrences for each policy-period, triggering multiple deductibles.  The Court of Appeals also found that the raising of the “separate occurrences” argument by the insurance company was not a disclaimer and therefore was not subject to the timeliness requirement for disclaimers in the Insurance Law. There was a concurring opinion by Judge Smith and a “concurring in part and dissenting in part” opinion by Judge Graffeo. Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v National Union Fire Insurance Company …, No 69, CtApp 5-7-13